Portrait of Marusya (Maria Nikiforovna) Burliuk (1923) Nikolay Feshin (1881-1955)

The portrait presents a young woman facing directly toward the viewer. Her gaze is intense and unwavering, drawing immediate attention. The artist has rendered her with a palpable sense of immediacy; brushstrokes are visible throughout, contributing to a feeling of spontaneity rather than meticulous detail.
Here we see a subject characterized by a certain quiet strength. Her features are not idealized; there’s an honesty in the depiction of her skin tone and the slight asymmetry of her face. The color palette is dominated by earthy tones – ochres, browns, and muted greens – with touches of brighter hues around the eyes and lips. This limited range contributes to a somber yet intimate atmosphere.
The womans attire consists of a dark jacket with a delicate white collar, which provides a visual contrast against her complexion. The fabric appears loosely draped, suggesting a relaxed posture rather than formal presentation. Her hair is styled in a manner that seems both practical and fashionable for the period; it’s pulled back but retains a natural texture. A ribbon or band adorns her head, adding a subtle decorative element.
The background is rendered with broad, indistinct strokes of yellow and white, creating an impressionistic effect. It doesnt offer specific contextual information, instead serving to isolate the figure and focus attention on her presence. The lack of depth in the background further emphasizes the two-dimensionality of the work, characteristic of certain modern artistic approaches.
Subtexts within the painting suggest a sense of introspection and resilience. Her direct gaze implies an inner fortitude, while the muted color scheme hints at underlying complexities or perhaps even melancholy. Theres a feeling that this is not merely a likeness but an attempt to capture something essential about her character – a quiet dignity in the face of unseen circumstances. The overall impression is one of restrained emotion and understated elegance.